I was very surprised to see this movie today on a channel that plays lots of familiar movies. I had never heard of this one before, but I figured with Denzel Washington how could I go wrong? Yes, Carbon Copy is over-the-top in its depiction of snooty racists, and some of the comedy borders on slapstick. But if you concentrate on the relationship between the Denzel Washington and George Segal characters, you're in for a real treat. They are truly wonderful together and Denzel, especially considering this is one of his earliest roles, has all the charisma, polish, and depth we have come to expect from him. Bonus points for some really funny lines and a serious point that is made with heart.

source: Carbon Copy

Carbon Copy

More than any thing what i loved in this movie is its story and casting , all shots of the movie is vey suitable according to the story and the situation of the movie ,enitre movie was so enjoyable more than its action and other sequences, we all loved the movie!

This little known 1981 Avco Embassy release was the film debut for the ever talented Denzel Washington but I certainly wouldn't blame him if he ever wished to forget about its existence. They have to start somewhere after all and Washington started here in this comedy about a middle aged executive (George Segal) who is happily married and has a successful career. He feels as though his life is complete. Then, suddenly, a long forgotten illegitimate son (Washington) from a previous relationship tracks him down and wants to bond with the father he never knew. Comic complications ensue but none of them are really genuinely funny. It would take another three years before Washington would make another film but his great supporting role in "A Soldier's Story" was a sure sign of an excellent film career to come. View this one only as a curiosity piece as to how Washington started out in his film career before he hit it big and long before he got those two well deserved Academy Awards.

Just watched on Bounce TV, and ancillary channel available here in NYC to those of us "cable-less" free TV antenna viewers. I thought it was a very well done comic treatment of a very real American issue. Racism is never dead, it just hides under the surface like an indolent disease. I thought George Segal did a fine job. Jack Warden played the rich, controlling, pragmatic racist father in law to tee. And then there is Denzel. I watched the opening credits and saw "and Introducing Denzel Washington". How could ANYONE resist that?? Maybe I am just blinded by love ;) but the talent was just so obvious in this very early performance.

I really to don't why some movies (like this one for example) have such a low rating! I watched the movie and had fun! Nice actors, parts you will laugh and a great feeling that only 80s movies have. If you are thinking of watching don't let the rating stop you! You will definitely enjoy it!

I read some of the reviews and expected to like this. Most of the criticism seems aimed at the politically incorrect humor and with each passing year I give fewer and fewer effs about that. This is awful for reasons that have nothing to do with being offensive. It's like a bad pilot for a TV sitcom padded out to movie length. George Segal's career was declining at this point but Denzel Washington's was just beginning. Glad this didn't kill his career. I made it through about forty minutes of this without laughing once. If you decide to watch this, good luck.

After seeing the trailer, I was very excited about this film as it looked like a comedy about a white man suddenly finding out about his teenage black son. The film did start that way but it changes into something else and to something else from there. Thus, it starts as a comedy then switches into a messed up drama. There is no balance in the story and 'Carbon Copy' lacks soul. The audience is presented with culture clashes but none of it goes anywhere. Moreover, there are numerous clichéd moments that only bored me. George Segal and. Denzel Washington do well but not enough to save the movie. I only sat through this hoping that there will be some salvation but alas!

I can't give it a ten because they could have gotten someone better than Susan St. James but I enjoyed this film when I saw it in theaters many moons ago. Michael Schultz has never gotten his due as a director and this is another example of that. The surface story of an absentee father finally owing up to his son is quite good and rings true. I find the subplot of a affluent guy brought down to earth through circumstance prophetic of how America has went through similar change over the last 25 years. This movie wasn't very well liked when it came out I believe because it didn't pull punches in that regard. There was no magic bullet to solve their problems. It took time and work for the father and son to come to an understanding. I've always kinda wished Denzel and George would work together again. They had good chemistry together.